Likely no charges from seizure of marijuana plants
By John Joyce
Published in News on August 5, 2014 1:46 PM
Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies are no longer working to identify the people responsible for growing marijuana plants seized recently from a secluded area off U.S. Highway 70.
Aggressive Crime Enforcement Team officers dug up 105 plants in two separate plots hidden behind corn fields near the industrial triangle near Commerce Court.
The crop had been under surveillance for three months before investigators moved in and removed them July 25.
"I think, because our guys sat on it so long and never saw anyone, whatever leads they might have had have dried up," Maj. Tom Effler said this morning.
The plants were initially spotted from the air by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office helicopter.
The pilots are constantly on the lookout for suspicious activity and potential marijuana fields during routine flight operations called "eradication," Effler said.
Officers close to the investigation said there had been many previous seizures of marijuana growing in the same area over the past few years. Some speculated the growers might not be aware the sheriff's helicopter is allowed to fly that close to the base.
The potential street value of the two crops seized is estimated at more than $260,000.